This August, come check out six of Jim Henson's most memorable films at Maze Branch Library!

Although summer reading is coming to a close (Aug. 1), your library has no shortage of great programming for children and adults alike. What better way to kick off our August programming lineup than with a mini-film series celebrating the work of Jim Henson?

Henson is world renowned for his puppeteering, which first saw national fame as a part of the television program Sesame Street. Over the years, Henson's work was featured in numerous films and television shows, such as Saturday Night Live, The Muppet Show and Star Wars. The mini-film series will include six of Henson's most popular feature films, three of which feature his classic Muppets characters, followed by discussion sessions.

Of the six films, three are Muppets classics. The Muppet Movie (1979, G) chronicles Kermit the Frog's endeavor to find success in Hollywood, while evading an unscrupulous frog-leg salesman. The Muppets (2011, PG) follows the gang's quest to save their beloved performance space, Muppet Theater, from demolition by ruthless businessman Tex Richman, played by Jason Segel. Muppets Most Wanted (2014, PG) sees Kermit fall victim to an impostor, Constantine, and locked up in prison for criminal activity. In order to prevent Constantine from stealing what matters most to him, he must engineer an escape.

Henson's boundless talent was not exclusively seen in Muppets films, however, and our mini-film series will also include three of his most popular films from outside the Muppets franchise. The Dark Crystal (1982, PG) follows the protagonist Jen, as he seeks to restore a powerful gem to its original state, and restore his planet Thra to peace and order. Labyrinth (1986, PG) depicts the journey of 15-year-old Sarah, as she journeys to a mystical maze to save her infant brother Toby from the Goblin King Jareth. The Witches (1990, PG) sees the Orphan Luke Eveshim and his friend Bruno stumble onto a group of witches who conspire to rid the world of children, and follows the two friends as they endeavor to put a stop to it.

The afternoon mini-film series will take place at Maze Branch Library, 845 Gunderson Avenue, from August 6-21. Find exact dates and show times, as well as more summer events for everyone at http://oppl.org/events/calendar.